Families across Cumbria’s rural communities will benefit from a share of more than £50 million in government support to help with rising heating oil costs, under new measures announced by the government.

Over 40,000 households across Cumbria rely on heating oil to keep their homes warm, particularly in rural villages and farming communities where homes are not connected to the gas grid. With global pressures pushing up energy prices, the cost of kerosene – the fuel used in heating oil – has surged sharply in recent months.

Unlike gas and electricity customers, households who rely on heating oil are not protected by the energy price cap, meaning families can face sudden price spikes and large upfront bills to refill their tanks.

The government has confirmed over £50 million in targeted support for low-income households who rely on heating oil, with £27 million allocated to England and distributed through local authorities from 1st April via the Crisis and Resilience Fund. This is in addition to £842 million already allocated to the CRF at the last Spending Review to support struggling families with the cost of living this year.

This additional support will help families in rural areas of Cumbria who have been particularly exposed to the rising cost of heating their homes.

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister said:

“In many parts of Cumbria, heating oil isn’t a luxury – it’s the only option families have to heat their homes and keep the hot water running.

“When prices spike, households here feel it immediately.

“This £50 million package will help ensure that vulnerable families in rural communities across our county can stay warm and supported.”

The government says the price of kerosene has been especially affected by instability in global energy markets linked to the conflict in the Middle East and is currently around double the price of crude oil, pushing up costs for households that depend on oil deliveries.

To tackle this, the government is also moving to strengthen protections for heating oil customers, an area of the energy market that currently sits outside the main regulatory system.

Measures being explored include:

• stronger consumer protections for heating oil customers
• improved price transparency from suppliers
• new repayment options for households facing hardship
• a formal Priority Customers Register to support vulnerable households during supply disruptions
• possible regulation of the sector or appointment of a consumer champion

The government has also asked the Competition and Markets Authority to closely monitor the market and investigate reports of cancelled deliveries and sudden price increases. Over the weekend, the CMA confirmed they would be taking forward a detailed examination of the whole market at pace

Josh added that the government would not tolerate unfair practices in the heating oil market and urged consumers to report any evidence of price manipulation.

Get in touch to be the first to find out what support may be available once Cumberland Council’s Crisis and Resilience Fund opens on 1st April.

Josh MacAlister MP has welcomed new government plans to introduce stronger protections for children with allergies in schools, ensuring parents can feel confident that their child will be safe in the classroom.

Under new proposals, schools across England will for the first time be legally required to follow strengthened allergy safety guidance – including stocking life-saving adrenaline auto-injectors, providing mandatory allergy awareness training for staff, and maintaining clear healthcare plans for affected pupils. 

It is estimated that nearly 700,000 children in England have a food allergy, with one to two children in every classroom affected. Tragically, one in five anaphylaxis deaths among school-aged children in the UK occur in school, highlighting the importance of robust safety procedures. 

The changes follow cases raised by Josh and other MPs with Ministers and campaigning by families and organisations working to improve allergy safety in schools.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“No parent should have to worry that their child won’t be safe at school because of a serious allergy.

“Hundreds of children across West Cumbria are living with food allergies, and many families know the anxiety that can come with sending their child into the classroom each day.

“These new protections will ensure every school has clear policies, properly trained staff and life-saving equipment available if it is needed. That’s a major step forward for pupil safety and peace of mind for parents.

“Schools across Cumbria already work incredibly hard to support children with medical conditions. This guidance will help ensure best practice is consistent everywhere, so every child can learn safely and confidently.”

As well as improving safety, the new measures are expected to help children stay in school. Around 500,000 school days are lost each year due to allergy-related illness or medical appointments, something ministers hope the reforms will help reduce. 

The guidance is now open for consultation, with the new statutory requirements expected to come into force in September 2026. 

Motorists in West Cumbria are paying up to £10 more for a tank of petrol or diesel depending on where they fill up, according to new analysis published by local MP Josh MacAlister.

A review of petrol stations in West Cumbria found petrol prices ranging from around 136p per litre to as high as 152p, while diesel prices ranged from 148p to 167p per litre.

That represents a 16p difference per litre for petrol and 19p per litre for diesel within just a few miles.

Prices in West Cumbria are already higher than the UK average for petrol and diesel.

The findings come at a time when motorists are already facing the prospect of rising fuel costs globally. Oil markets have been reacting to continued instability and conflict in the Middle East, pushing international energy prices higher and increasing pressure on household budgets.

In rural areas like West Cumbria, where many people rely on their cars to travel to work, attend hospital appointments and access essential services, rising fuel costs can have a particularly significant impact.

Josh MacAlister MP has now written to petrol station operators across the region asking them to explain their pricing and review any significant differences.

He is also submitting a detailed evidence dossier to the Competition and Markets Authority asking it to examine whether competition in rural fuel markets is working properly. This follows the Government’s request for the CMA to consider investigating petrol retailers over potential profiteering.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Many people in West Cumbria depend on their cars for everyday life. Whether it’s getting to work, taking children to school or attending hospital appointments, driving is not a luxury here – it’s a necessity.

“That’s why it is so concerning to see such large differences in petrol prices between stations only a few miles apart, with prices in West Cumbria already higher than the UK average.

“At a time when global tensions are already pushing oil prices higher, local motorists are understandably worried about the impact on their household finances.

“I am calling on petrol retailers across West Cumbria to look carefully at their prices and make sure drivers here are being treated fairly.

“I will also be submitting the evidence I have gathered to the Competition and Markets Authority so it can consider whether competition in rural fuel markets like ours is working as it should.”

The evidence dossier highlights significant price differences between forecourts within a short distance of each other and compares local prices with national averages.

Josh MacAlister MP said he hoped fuel retailers would respond constructively and ensure motorists in West Cumbria are not paying more than necessary for essential fuel.

Motorists can join Josh’s Fair Fuel campaign at joshmacalister.uk/fair-fuel

Local MP Josh MacAlister has welcomed the launch of a new Government review into the controversial commission charged when park homes are sold – and is encouraging park home residents across West Cumbria to share their experiences.

The Government has announced a call for evidence into the 10% commission fee paid to site owners when a park home is sold. The charge, set out in the Mobile Homes Act 1983, can cost residents thousands of pounds and has long been debated by park home owners and operators.

The review will gather evidence on why the commission exists, what it pays for, and whether the current system is fair and transparent for residents and site owners.

Josh MacAlister MP has been campaigning on the issue after hearing directly from park home residents across West Cumbria.

Last year, he presented a petition at No. 10 Downing Street on behalf of local park home owners, calling on Ministers to look again at the commission charge.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Park home owners across West Cumbria have told me that the 10% commission charged when they sell their homes simply doesn’t feel fair. For many residents – often older people who have downsized or retired – it can mean losing thousands of pounds when they come to move.

“That’s why I worked with park home residents locally to raise this directly with Ministers and present their petition at Downing Street. I’m really pleased the Government has now launched a review to look properly at whether this charge is justified.

“We have more than 500 park homes across West Cumbria, so it’s really important that local residents’ voices are heard as part of this process.

“If you live in a park home locally, I would strongly encourage you to take part in the call for evidence and share your experience so the Government understands the reality for residents.”

The Government says the review aims to better understand the role the commission plays in the park home sector and how it interacts with other income streams such as pitch fees and the sale of new homes.

The call for evidence is open until 29th May, and park home residents, site owners and others involved in the sector are invited to submit their views here

This week marks an important milestone for West Cumbria as work officially begins on developing the masterplan for Pioneer Park – a site with the potential to shape the future of our area for decades to come.

Pioneer Park sits on hundreds of acres of land owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority right next to Sellafield, one of the most significant nuclear locations anywhere in the world. It’s hard to think of many places in the UK with a stronger combination of land, expertise and infrastructure to support the next generation of nuclear development.

From Calder Hall – the world’s first commercial nuclear power station – through to the globally recognised work taking place at Sellafield today, West Cumbria has always been at the forefront of nuclear innovation. Pioneer Park is about building on that legacy and ensuring we continue to play a central role in the UK’s nuclear future.

The masterplan work now underway will help set out a clear vision for how the site could be used. Early engagement with the market has already shown strong interest, particularly in the opportunity for new nuclear technologies to power new industry and investment in our area.

That is an exciting prospect. New nuclear generation alongside energy-intensive industry could bring high-quality jobs, attract investment into our supply chain and strengthen West Cumbria’s reputation as a global centre of nuclear expertise.

Once the masterplan is complete, the next step will be to identify the right developer to bring that vision to life. This will be done using the Government’s newly announced Advanced Nuclear Framework, which is designed to help accelerate the deployment of next-generation nuclear technologies in the UK.

Our ambition is simple: move as quickly as possible to bring in the right private sector partners who can develop the site and unlock the opportunities it offers.

To make that happen, a dedicated team is already in place bringing together local partners and government. This partnership approach will be crucial in making sure Pioneer Park moves from vision to reality.

But importantly, we’re not waiting for the masterplan to be finished before engaging with potential investors and developers. Conversations are already underway with a range of interested parties who see the same potential in Pioneer Park that we do.

As your MP, I will continue working with ministers and officials at the highest levels of government to make sure West Cumbria has the support it needs and that any barriers to progress are removed.

Pioneer Park represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our area. If we get this right, it can help secure high-quality jobs, new investment and a strong future for our communities – while ensuring West Cumbria remains at the heart of the UK’s nuclear industry for decades to come.

Work has officially begun on shaping the future of Pioneer Park – a major new clean energy development opportunity adjacent to Sellafield that could play a significant role in the UK’s future nuclear programme.

Members of Cumberland’s Nuclear Future Board gathered today (10th March) at Westlakes Science Park to launch the masterplanning phase of the project, marking the start of a six-month programme to explore how the site could support the next generation of nuclear and clean energy technologies.

First announced by the Prime Minister in 2025, Pioneer Park will explore development opportunities across over 400 acres of land owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), taking into account Sellafield’s existing requirements – the UK’s largest nuclear complex and one of the most significant nuclear locations anywhere in the world.

Located at the heart of a globally recognised nuclear cluster, Pioneer Park represents a rare opportunity to attract new investment, support innovation and reinforce West Cumbria’s reputation as a centre of nuclear expertise.

The launch of the masterplanning work follows the appointment of global engineering and advisory firms Mott MacDonald and WSP, who will lead the programme management office and develop options for the site’s future.

The appointment follows extensive market engagement led by development company BEC and a competitive tender process to identify the partners best placed to help shape the project. The work has been made possible by an initial £1 million investment from the NDA to begin the masterplanning phase.

The masterplan will explore how Pioneer Park could support a range of nuclear and clean energy opportunities, including potential locations for next-generation nuclear technologies, supply chain facilities, and innovation activity, helping to position West Cumbria as a hub for future nuclear deployment in the UK.

MP for Whitehaven and Workington, Josh MacAlister, said:

“Pioneer Park represents a truly transformational opportunity for West Cumbria. Our communities have powered the nation for generations through our leadership in nuclear, and this project is about ensuring we continue to play a central role in the UK’s energy future.

“With its proximity to Sellafield and our world-class nuclear workforce, West Cumbria is uniquely placed to support the next wave of nuclear innovation and investment. The appointment of Mott MacDonald and WSP is an important step toward turning that potential into a clear, deliverable vision for the site.

“Done right, Pioneer Park can attract major private investment, strengthen the UK’s nuclear supply chain and create high-quality jobs for local people. I’m determined that West Cumbria continues to lead the nation in nuclear expertise and that our communities benefit from the opportunities this project could unlock for decades to come.”

Leader of Cumberland Council, Mark Fryer, said:

“West Cumbria has been at the heart of the UK’s nuclear industry for decades, and Pioneer Park represents an important opportunity to build on that legacy. This project has the potential to attract new investment, support our highly skilled workforce and reinforce the area’s position as one of the most important nuclear locations in the country.

“As a council, we are committed to working with partners to ensure Pioneer Park delivers long-term benefits for local communities while supporting the continued growth of the UK’s nuclear sector.”

The project comes at a time when the UK is seeking to expand nuclear power generation and strengthen its domestic nuclear supply chain as part of its long-term energy security strategy.

Nuclear Minister Patrick Vallance said:

“Cumbria has been a major contributor to nuclear in the UK and opening up this land for development will build on the region’s energy expertise.

“This could lead to new jobs and economic growth in Cumbria, while boosting the nation’s energy security and protecting family finances.”

BEC will continue to lead the development of Pioneer Park on behalf of the NDA and Cumberland Council.

Michael Pemberton, Chief Executive of BEC, said:

“Appointing Mott MacDonald and WSP is a significant step forward for Pioneer Park and for West Cumbria’s nuclear future. This site is next to one of the most important nuclear sites in the world. Our focus is on developing a masterplan that builds on that unique position – creating opportunities for investment, innovation and new technologies while supporting the long-term strength of the UK’s nuclear sector.

“Pioneer Park is about unlocking the potential of this strategically important site and ensuring West Cumbria remains a global centre for nuclear expertise.”

NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, said:

“Our expertise in the safe and secure decommissioning of nuclear sites is unparalleled, underpinned by a long and proud history in West Cumbria. This development has the potential to create new jobs, drive economic growth for the region, and strengthen the nation’s energy security.

“Through the reuse of our land, we’re unlocking opportunities that will deliver lasting benefits for the local community, and the wider economy, for many generations to come.”

Community and stakeholder engagement will be a central part of the masterplanning process. Over the coming months, the project team will work closely with local residents, businesses, community groups and industry partners to help shape the vision for Pioneer Park.

This engagement will ensure the development reflects local priorities, supports the needs of surrounding towns and communities, and maximises the long-term economic opportunities the project could bring to West Cumbria.

Feedback gathered through this process will help inform the emerging masterplan and ensure the site is developed in a way that delivers lasting benefits for the county.

Josh MacAlister MP is pitching in with local fundraising legend Gary McKee MBE, known as “Marathon Man”, as he takes on his latest extraordinary challenge of running 100 marathons in 100 days in the run-up to the London Marathon.

Gary, from Cleator Moor, is hoping to raise £100,000 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria through the challenge. If successful, it will bring his total fundraising for the charity to £1 million over the last five years.

To mark the halfway point of the challenge, Josh MacAlister MP joined Gary and his son Beau for the 50th marathon, joining them for the first half. Josh is now pitching in with the pair to raise funds for Hospice at Home West Cumbria as all three prepare to run the London Marathon on 26th April.

Hospice at Home West Cumbria delivers palliative and end-of-life care to people throughout West Cumbria, offering comfort, dignity, and support when it’s needed most.  Funds raised during this challenge will directly support essential home nursing services and compassionate care for both patients and their loved ones.

The charity recently received £150,000 in government funding, which Josh MacAlister MP helped to secure, and plans to use it to help complete the refurbishment and fit-out of their new headquarters in Workington, including a dedicated patient services area with treatment and therapy rooms, meeting rooms, and facilities for bereavement clinics.

Josh MacAlister MP said:

“Gary’s challenge is nothing short of extraordinary. Running 100 marathons in 100 days takes immense determination, but it’s typical of Gary that he’s doing it to support others in our community.

“Hospice at Home West Cumbria provides vital care and support to families at some of the most difficult moments in their lives. I was proud to help secure £150,000 in government funding for their new headquarters, and Gary has now persuaded me to join him in running the London Marathon to help him reach his £100,000 goal.

“There’s no way I could pull off running 100 marathons in 100 days, but I’m committed to running the final one in London and doing my bit to help Gary and Beau hit their target! Every pound raised will help ensure people in West Cumbria can access the compassionate care and support they deserve at the end of their lives.”

Gary McKee MBE said:

“The support from people across West Cumbria has been incredible throughout this challenge. Reaching the halfway point with my 50th marathon was a really special moment, and it meant a lot to have Josh join me for part of the run.

“Hospice at Home West Cumbria does amazing work supporting patients and families, and I’m determined to keep going until we reach that £100,000 target. Knowing Josh will also be running the London Marathon and helping raise awareness and funds for the hospice is fantastic.”

Julie Monk, Chief Executive of Hospice at Home West Cumbria, said:

“Gary’s commitment over the last five years has been truly inspiring and has made an enormous difference to our charity and the people we support. This latest challenge is another incredible achievement.

“The funds raised will play a key role in helping us expand the services we offer, including home nursing, dedicated specialist complementary therapy and bereavement support services. Demand for our support continues to grow year on year and we would not be able to deliver all we do if it wasn’t for the support of people like Gary and people across our local communities.

“We’re also very grateful to Josh for his continued support and for helping secure government funding for our new headquarters. The backing of both Gary and Josh will help us continue providing specialist care and support for families across West Cumbria.”

Gary, Beau and Josh will continue fundraising in the lead up to the London Marathon as part of the effort to reach the £100,000 target for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

Josh MacAlister MP, Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington, visited Moor Row Primary School to celebrate World Book Day, joining pupils to highlight the importance of reading.

During the visit, Josh toured the school and read with each of the school’s four classes. Speaking with pupils and staff, he emphasised the importance of reading in children’s education and development, and highlighted the Government’s Year of Reading initiative.

As part of the visit, Josh also officially opened the school’s new community library shed. The space has been stocked with a collection of books designed to encourage the wider community to develop a love of reading. He praised the school for its commitment to promoting literacy and creating opportunities for children to enjoy books.

Josh also visited new outdoor equipment recently installed at the school, which was designed and built by apprentices from AtkinsRéalis, with support from Forth Engineering. The project provided the apprentices with practical experience while helping to enhance the school’s outdoor learning and play environment for pupils.

Josh said:

“It was a real pleasure to visit Moor Row Primary School and celebrate World Book Day with pupils and staff. Reading is the foundation of a good education and a skill that opens doors throughout a child’s life. That’s why the Government has launched a Year of Reading and is taking action to ensure more children develop strong literacy skills and a lifelong love of books.

“Schools like Moor Row are doing fantastic work to inspire young readers, and it was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of the pupils and to open their new community library shed.

“It was also great to see the new outdoor equipment created by apprentices from AtkinsRéalis and Forth Engineering. Projects like this show how apprenticeships can make a real difference in our communities while giving young people valuable hands-on experience.”

Jacqui Beavis, Headteacher at Moor Row Primary School, said:

“We were delighted to welcome Josh MacAlister MP to our school to celebrate World Book Day. Reading is something we place at the heart of school life, and it was wonderful for our pupils to share their enthusiasm for books with him. The opening of our new community library shed is an exciting moment for the school and will help us continue encouraging children to discover the joy of reading.

“We are also incredibly grateful to the apprentices from AtkinsRéalis who designed and built the new outdoor equipment. It will make a fantastic addition to our playground and will be enjoyed by pupils for many years to come.”

Katherine Finn, one of the apprentices who worked on the project, said:

“It was great to be involved in a project that will have such a positive impact on the school. Being able to design and build something that the pupils can use every day was a really rewarding experience, and it gave us valuable practical experience as apprentices.”

Josh also encouraged parents to read regularly with their children and to support the school’s efforts to promote literacy both at school and at home.

A year ago, standing in Parliament introducing my Safer Phones Bill, I said that we must not shrug our shoulders and accept a childhood shaped by addictive algorithms, anonymous strangers and unchecked technological change. Responding, the Government committed to action within a year.

I’m now a member of the Government and, almost exactly one year on, action is underway.

This week, the Government opened a major consultation on what further measures are needed to protect children from harm online. I am urging parents, carers, teachers and young people in our community to take part, because the next steps we take must be grounded in your own experience.

Our children’s digital world is not an accident of nature, it is designed – by powerful companies, using persuasive technology, to maximise attention and profit. Childhood is being reshaped by features like infinite scrolling, algorithmic feeds and private messaging with strangers. We would never allow unsafe products to be sold in our shops; we should not tolerate unsafe design in our children’s pockets.

This consultation is about confronting that reality honestly and being prepared to act fast. Through amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, we are taking new powers now so that, once the consultation concludes, we can implement its outcomes through secondary legislation within months – not years. Technology evolves rapidly. The law must be able to keep pace. 

We are consulting on significant measures: banning social media for under-16s; raising the digital age of consent from 13 to prevent companies profiting from children’s data without parental consent; introducing overnight curfews and breaks to tackle compulsive use; and strengthening age verification. 

In addition, we are exploring restrictions on features that are manifestly unsuitable for children – such as stranger pairing and live streaming – and consulting on blocking the ability for children to send or receive nude images. We will examine whether safeguards being considered for social media should also apply to AI chatbots.

Alongside this, we are closing loopholes so that all AI chatbot providers are clearly bound by duties under the Online Safety Act. No platform gets a free pass when it comes to illegal content. And through amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, we will require coroners to notify Ofcom automatically following the death of a child, ensuring vital data is preserved for families.

Last year, I said we needed to match the scale of the challenge with the scale of our response. This consultation marks the next stage of that response.

If we want a digital world that supports children’s wellbeing rather than undermines it, we must shape it deliberately. Please take part and help us get this right together.

Josh MacAlister MP visited the new Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, meeting with the school’s leadership team and its first cohort of medical students as they begin their training.

The visit highlighted the school’s core mission: to train the next generation of doctors in Cumbria and keep them serving the communities that need them most. By recruiting and educating medical students locally, the school aims to address longstanding challenges in GP access and workforce shortages across the county.

Speaking after the visit, Josh MacAlister MP said:

“It was a real privilege to meet the first year medical students at the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine and to see first-hand the ambition behind this new institution. These students represent the future of healthcare in our county. By training doctors here in Cumbria, we are far more likely to keep talented clinicians here – strengthening our GP services, supporting our hospitals, and delivering better care for local people.”

Cumbria has faced persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining doctors, particularly in West Cumbria. Establishing a medical school rooted in the county is a key step in building a sustainable local workforce, improving continuity of care, and ensuring patients can see a GP when they need one.

Josh added:

“Improving general practice is central to our mission to fix the NHS. That means more appointments, better access, and stronger community-based care. Initiatives like this – training doctors locally with a clear commitment to serve local communities – are exactly how we bring down pressure on hospitals and cut waiting lists.”

The Government’s wider health agenda focuses on rebuilding general practice, expanding the healthcare workforce, and reducing backlogs that built up in recent years. By investing in training places and modern facilities in areas like Cumbria, the aim is to shift care closer to home and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.

During the visit, Josh met with senior leaders at the school to discuss how national policy can continue to support regional medical education and workforce planning. He also spoke with students about their motivations for studying medicine in Cumbria and their aspirations to practise locally after qualification.